College receives half million dollar grant

An award recently received by one entity at the College puts a new spin on liberal “arts.”

The Phillips Museum of Art has received a $500,000 grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

The money will help the museum pursue some of its outlined objectives over the next four years, including the establishment of one post-baccalaureate and two pre-baccalaureate internships, the advancement of the present curatorial position from half-time to full-time, and the creation of a visiting faculty/artist/postdoctoral fellowship.

Eliza Reilly, director of the Phillips Museum of Art, said the College submitted a proposal to The Mellon Foundation, written by Reilly in conjunction with Ryan Sauder, director of corporate and foundation relations, and Sam Houser, secretary of the College, last semester.  

Shortly before Winter break, Reilly received word the proposal had made it through the first round of the decision-making process. In February, Reilly found out The Mellon Foundation’s Officers recommended the proposal and she was officially notified that the museum was awarded the grant March 19.

Reilly said the grant will help the museum, named for Trustee Emeritus Tom Phillips ’54 and Ginny Phillips, in many ways.  

“Right now, our curator is only part-time,” Reilly stated. “It takes a lot of time to set up for faculty and student art shows, which is something our curator does. Being able to upgrade the position to full-time will be great for the museum. 

Reilly also noted ways the grant will help the museum supplement F&M’s academics.

“The museum will be able to fund independent student research projects in everything from more traditional styles of art to graphics,” she said.

Funding for a visiting fellowship will also strengthen the connection among the museum, the academic program, and the community.

“The establishment of the visiting faculty/artist/postdoctoral fellowship will also be a wonderful opportunity for the community since the visitor will teach classes and have his or her own exhibitions,” Reilly said.  

Reilly believes the grant will also complement F&M’s arts curriculum.  

“The grant will be able to help diversify the exhibition programs and link them more closely with actual courses in all different departments at the College,” she said. “The connection between the museum and the College will be much more energetic and enhanced.”

According to its website, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation with a mission to “build, strengthen, and sustain institutions and their core capacities, rather than be a source for narrowly defined projects.”  

Reilly thinks those results will make the museum even better.  

“This grant is a very exciting honor that will improve a museum with already professional-style vaults and data management, thanks to the previous director Carol Faill,” she said. “We can look forward to bringing even more faculty members and students to the museum.”

Senior Megan Lello is a senior staff writer. Her e-mail is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .